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Project Background
The orphans programme began in April 2003 and is implemented in Skenderaj Municipality in north-central Kosova. The Municipality is home to approximately 65,000 people, almost exclusively Kosovar Albanians and is a place with a long history of conflict.
Approximately 3,528 houses out of 8,518 were completely destroyed
or burned, the remainder suffered partial damage and only
687 escaped unscathed. In addition, the region suffered extensive
destruction to its infrastructure and disruption to agriculture,
the main economic activity in the region.
Our target groups of orphan children are living an extremely
precarious existence. Often, their only family income is the
62 euros social assistance provided by UNMIK.
With such a small income, and considering that in the majority
of cases there are three or more orphan children in each family,
it is difficult to cover basic household necessities such
as food, heating and clothing.
Frequently the children are withdrawn from education, as schooling
becomes increasingly expensive, harming their long-term future.
They are generally undernourished as a low income restricts
the possibility of an adequate diet and have as a result become
more susceptible to illnesses.
It is generally the case that the children's mothers, who
are now the head of the household, are also suffering trauma
from losing their husbands during the war, often in horrific
circumstances. In all cases orphans are living in houses extensively
damaged during the war without running water and in many cases
also without electricity.
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Project Objectives
The principal aim of this project is to increase the living
standards of orphans and their families through the provision
of a regular monthly stipend of 38 euros per orphan. All orphans
targeted are living in relative poverty and form the most
vulnerable sector of the population.
Project Activities
The principal aim of this programme is to increase the living
standards of orphans and their families through the provision
of a regular monthly stipend of 38 euros per orphan.
All the orphans targeted are living in relative poverty and
form the most vulnerable sector of the population. This financial
assistance will ensure that orphan families are able to cover
the cost of basic necessities such as food and clothing.
In addition orphans families benefit from receiving Ramadan
food parcels and Qurbani meat each year. All sponsored orphans
also receive school satchels filled with books and stationary
at the beginning of each school year.
Beneficiaries
Orphans and their families.
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